Aspetar, the orthopaedic and sports medicine hospital in Qatar, is using the best of its research facilities to advise athletes on how to ‘Beat the Heat’ when competing during the upcoming championships and avoid common heat injuries.
This research will be used in the upcoming 17th IAAF World Championships Doha 2019 and 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, as both are expected to take place under hot and potentially humid environmental conditions. The ‘Beat the Heat’ research will also be one of the main topics that will be discussed in Aspetar’s upcoming medicine and athletic international conference.
As part of the research, experts tackled essential points for athletes to consider, producing a detailed information on how to maintain body temperatures, the effect of temperatures on performance, preparation prior to championships, and the influence of hydration on performance.
To compete in 10,000 metre or longer events in the heat, athletes must consider the visible changes the body undergoes in different temperatures, including increased sweat rate, decreased heart rate, retention of electrolytes, and changes in core temperature of the body. The study recommends that training in conditions that are similar to the upcoming competition is the most effective method to increase performance.
The research will prepare athletes ahead of time by informing them to take simple steps that will positively impact their performance during the summer championships. Research shows that the maximal body core temperature when competing in the heat is between 39-41 °C. Athletes reading the study will also benefit from recommendations from accredited researchers and doctors on what the ideal drinks to consume are before a competition.
International Conference on Medicine and Science in Athletics
After intensive preparations and research studies, Aspetar is ready to host the international conference on Medicine and Science in Athletics, scheduled to be held from 3 to 5 May 2019 at Aspire Academy. The conference is for the benefit of medical personnel such as physicians, nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists, nutritionists, and podiatrists.
Aside from the ‘Beat the Heat’ research, the conference will also cover a wide array of topics, such as the latest evidence relevant to athletics science and medical teams, preventing common injuries, managing in-season tendon pain, hamstring, and bone stress injuries. The sessions will discuss nutrition and supporting athletes in transit. Participants will also have the opportunity to choose from 16 different practical symposiums.
Registration is still open, those interested in attending can register through this link: www.aspetar.com/events.aspx.